When other lilies start to wither in the heat, the Pineapple Lilies look lush. A stand of Eucomis adds drama to the garden.
There are many types but this is one is one of the largest. It’s tag said ‘Sparkling Burgundy.’
Eucomis grow from large bulbs.
Bumble bees love the blooms. They get totally dusted in pollen as they move from bloom to bloom.
This is a very easy plant. They have thrived anywhere I have placed them, even in pots.
FLOW in the garden
I can pretend I am on a tropical island when the Eucomis flowers bloom.
Maybe I will set up some lawn chairs nearby and add a parasol to my favorite drink.
I leave the larger Pineapple lilies in the ground year-round despite living in Zone 7. I think the key to their survival is good drainage, so that they do not rot while dormant.
The little, pink Alohas stay in pots which are brought in for winter.
The spikes of both resemble elongated pineapples with blooms covering the sides and a tuft of green on top.
I am feeling a bit tropical today!
Aloha from Flower
Much of my garden looks withered and tired in this heat, so I appreciate any plant that stands up and blooms mid-July. That’s when the Eucomis ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ plants burst into bloom.
These blooms are visited by many insects. They are especially loved by bumble bees and Hummingbird moths.
This group has slowly spread over the years to form a lovely display. The plants have lost some of their color because they are not in full sun. I will eventually move the perimeter plants to a sunnier location to regain the burgundy spots.
A tiny version of Eucomis stays in pots. Its name is ‘Aloha.’ The blooms are the size of a thumbprint.
Eucomis plants originated in Africa, so they can take our North Carolina heat.
The bulbs are poisonous which means they are not eaten by my little friends.
FLOWER
I love Pineapple Lilies/Eucomis.
If you don’t have enough space for these beauties,
try a little Aloha lily instead.
They are perfectly happy in a pot.
Keep them watered with a weak fertilizer.
I love their little pink “pineapples.”
FLOWER
July is NOT my favorite month in the garden.
Water, weed, pick, again; water, weed, pick, again…
Too many tommy toes.
Itchy squash plants host their skittering beetles.
Zucchinis grow giant the minute my back is turned.
Pumpkins? I didn’t plant pumpkins.
Tomatoes… tomahtoes…potatoes…potahtoes..
Let’s kill the whole thing off. Get the sprayer and fill it with herbicide.
WAIT! There is one non-needy, non-weedy spot left in the garden.
A group of flowers, each wearing a crown.
Pineapple Lily. Eucomis.
I appreciate these lovely, long spires of delicate blooms.
I have a change of heart and get the hose to water instead.
Garden Saved by Eucomis!!!
Many garden bloggers send photos of their gardens to http://www.maydreamsgardens.com MayDreamsGardens to be posted as a group.
I had to rush home yesterday and figure out how to do this.
I have my first widget with my face on it!
So, here are the photos that I took of our garden yesterday.
The first photo is one of many lizards around our stone parking area. I call him “The King” because he likes to climb on the stoneshrooms and sun himself while he stands watch over the garden.
I am working on a future post about ferns, so I took photos of the spores on the underside of the frond.
My daughter has a lily and rose garden. This is her newest stargazer, Playtime.
This is my favorite plant. Eucomis/Pineapple lily.
GO visit some gardens around the country at http://www.maydreamsgardens.com Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day
Follow the Flower!
floweralley 